St. Mary’s Primary School ended their 50th Birthday year with a whole school Mass in the Church on Tuesday 16th July. To coincide with the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels, our headteacher Mrs Reilly O’Donnell, had the idea of creating our own gospel.
Every child and adult together with friends of the school, all contributed to writing the Gospel of St. Mark, each writing at least one verse each on special parchment paper. Mrs Minns and Year 6 helped to illuminate the initial letter of each chapter before sending it to be bound together. The gospel was held in procession before Fr. Campion read from it during Mass.
Mass then ended with a Blessing for our Year 6 children who were moving on to secondary schools, a goodbye to Fr. Campion who will be leaving us in August, and last but not least a goodbye and good luck to Mrs Reilly O’Donnell who is also leaving.
Mrs Reilly O’Donnell has been our Head for only 3 years but has made such a big impact to school, children, staff, governors and parents. She is one in a million and will be a huge loss.
Fr. Campion and Sean O’Keeffe, chairman of governors, both spoke very highly of her and wished her well in her new school, Our Lady Queen of Peace in Penshaw. We also wish our new headteacher Mrs Sowdon best wishes when she starts in Spetember.
After Mass the children enjoyed an extended playtime whilst staff, parents and friends of the school enjoyed tea, coffeee and cakes.
It has been a great year and we wish every one involved in school a happy and safe holiday.
